Big Bear Lake has served as the training ground for countless Olympians and elite level athletes. With an average altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level, the Big Bear Valley is a prime spot for capitalizing on high altitude training.
High Altitude Training (HAT) takes place between 5,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. This is where the body begins adapting to environments with lower oxygen levels. Even non-athletes living at these altitudes will adapt and experience the benefits of high altitude living.
Physiological benefits include:
- Increased red blood cell (RBC) production: Lower oxygen levels stimulate the body to produce more RBCs that carry oxygen to muscles and tissues. Increased RBC count is attributed to better aerobic capacity.
- Enhanced cell function: Mitochondria in human cells adapt by using sparce oxygen more efficiently, improving metabolic performance.
- Lactic Acid Thresholds: Lower oxygen levels cause the body to delay the onset of lactic acid production during exercise. This increased threshold is linked to better anaerobic performance - or endurance.